David Bouchard's Blog, page 2

Zoom - Google Meet - Microsoft Teams

 Zoom -Teams - Meet 

There are many new exciting ways to meet and share...

Last week, I delivered a keynote address to LitCon, the biggest Literacy Conference in the US. 

This week, I shared my love for and the power of story with the students at Suncrest College. My goal was to enlighten and motivate an extremely diverse group of students from across my home province of Saskatchewan. 
The name Suncrest is  the combination of two words that hold significant meaning to each of the 11 campuses within the expanded region including locations in Canora,  Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, Kamsack, Melfort, Melville, Nipawin, Tisdale and Yorkton. The name represents Saskatchewas, one of the sunniest provinces in Canada. A crest signifies the top of the peak, representing the colleges' shared vision to exceed the needs of learners, partners and communities. 
Educational options include university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates,  trades training, high school upgrading, employability programmes, safety training, and corporate/professional development.
My involvement was to speak to the need for and the power of story. I did this as any storyteller would do, for 90 minutes, I told stories.
I chose my stories with the intent of helping students (and staff) learn from some of my many life experiences across the globe yet remaining focussed on those I have had in Canada - from coast to coast to coast. 
I addressed the importance of reading. I touched on the how of becoming a reader. 
I spoke to the gifts each of us are given and the importance of building our lives around those gifts. 
Some of my stories focussed on the ongoing neglect in our Northern communities and on many of our reserves. 
I shared a few of my books. 
All this was done through Microsoft Team. The conference director was very well versed with the platform which allowed me to achieve everything I hoped to achieve. 

No Apologies - No excuses It's been a year since I blogg...

 No Apologies - No excuses 

It's been a year since I blogged. I can't really explain why other than to be honest with you. 

A few years ago, I gave into what I had come to believe in - generic direction. 

There was a time that I planned my entire life - a ten year plan...a five year plan...weekly and daily plans. As I grew, I was taught by life's greatest teacher, experience, that I needed not plan. My Grandmothers had me covered. 

We all have within us (in our DNA) memories and more. Our Grandmothers live in each and every one of us whether we know it or not...whether we listen to them or not. If this blog serves nothing more than to wake you to that important and meaningful truth, it will serve us both well. 

Once you come to realize that she (perhaps a collective of  Grandmothers?) lives there, within you, you might be lucky enough to come to know her name. And if you are fortunate to pinpoint the source of your guide, speak her name, as I do, Jeanne Charbonneau. This will strengthen the bond between you and sharpen your senses to her every direction. 

I am not fortunate enough to have her picture (though I have been to her gravesite in Kransburt, South Dakota). I do, however, have a picture of her Granddaughter, my Great Grandmother whom I had known as a boy. 

My full name is Pierre David Bouchard. I was named after my Grandfather, Pierre Mercier (showing here). 

Alrighty then, I'm back with much to share and even more to learn. Hug...

Implementing the recommendations of the TRC - A difficult challenge

Telling your students the Truth as you attempt to implement the recommendations of TRC is a very difficult assignment. 

If ONE person, a parent, a trustee, an administator or...any ONE person has an issue  with your efforts, it could be  disastrous. It could mean your job/your livelhood. 

Yet, you want to do your share. What can you do? 

Educate them - your students (and your community) about the values and beliefs of  those to whom we  know we are owing. One way to do this is for you to use my books that focus on the Sacred Teachings. These Teachings are consistent among many First Nations.  To  access those of the Haudenosaunee, use my book The Great Law.

For middle school - high school, the Seven Sacred Teachings is a beautifully illustrated look at the Grandfather Teachings/Teachings or the White Buffalo Calf Woman. To support the book, allo me to read it to them

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFPuRfqm9RY&t=359s 

For every right there is a wrong.  For each of the Sared Teachings there is a Deceiver. Again, the book and/or the video clip: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GLPfFM4RZA
I have written a version of the teachings for younger readers. Medicine Wheel Education has published We Learn from  the Sun - in English, en francais and in Ojibwe. They also have created and offer, for very little money, a teachers' guide. 
If you find success by using my books through what is a positive educational approach to implementing the recommendations, you might want to look at Meet Your Family, again in the three languages and again offering a teachers' guide. This book is currently the most popular of my books. I say currently as I have three exciting titles soon to be released. I will speak further to these this coming week.

If I can be of any further assistance, I'm here. I do online presentations as well as in person events. 

The passing of an amazing person -

                              

https://www.facebook.com/774715303/vi...

 Robb DUNFIELD

May 17, 1959 - June 19, 2023

Robbwas remarkable his whole life. He was the fourth in a family of five siblings(Kim, Barbara, Liz and Peter) and from the day he was born on May 17, 1959, hestarted to make his mark on the world, little knowing, that in his lifetime hewould become 'the first in the world' on many stages.

In his youth, Robb excelled in all sports through his singular focus. As afreestyle skier, performing aerial flips, he always challenged himself to gohigher and further. Robb loved soccer and golf but, also taught himself toembroider, embellishing a jacket with a colourful giant he'd drawn himself. Heproudly wore it until he framed it as the piece of art is was.

After his accident, from which he emerged as the 'first in the world', tosurvive a C2 spinal cord injury, ventilator dependent. Robb began his journeyto become the world's most positive minded man with the ability to look at lifethrough a lens, that made him truly believe, if he just put his mind to it, hecould find a way to make the impossible, possible and, he did just that.

Robb yearned to leave hospital, have his own room with a door and music. So,again he put his mind to creating the world's first independent living spacefor high-level quadriplegics. Everyone said it couldn't be done but, he did itand, that's where he met and fell in love with Sarah. They married and had twingirls Emma and Sophia, who have grown into very accomplished young women. Overthe years raising a family, Robb became a proficient painter with his paintingswidely collected both in Canada and internationally. Some of his paintingsbecame part of a book titled "If Sarah Will Take Me" and accompany apoem by Dave Bouchard. Robb's paintings were made into prints that Variety Clubauctioned for its annual charity fund raisers.

Robb was awarded the prestigious National Achievement Award by the Mother'sMarch of Dimes and Easter Seals and honoured on centre ice at a Canuck's gamewhen he donated his painting of 'The Canuck House'. Calona Wines produced theDunfield-Soon wine series with Robb's paintings featured on the wine labels.The last big project Robb undertook was a large mural for the lobby of theBlusson Spinal Cord Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital.

Robb's life was full of love and respect and all who met him were enchanted byhis gentle manner and bright smile. In the early days after his accident, hetravelled all through North America educating the public on the importance ofindependent living for the disabled. As part of his Above and Beyond program hetoured public schools in the lower Mainland and captivated the attention of thechildren with his motivational speeches. Robb, an intelligent, kind and caringman spoke at medical conferences and was honoured with the Courage to Come BackAward. He created the Ambassador program for the Rick Hansen Foundation inwhich, he played a meaningful role as Ambassador for many years.

Above all, Robb loved his family and his home and was happiest spending timewith them in the garden or working on a project. His ideas were big and boldwhether for education, renovations, landscaping or a vacation. We will all misstime spent with Robb, the best listener, always wanting to hear what we weredoing, encouraging our hopes and dreams.

Robb is indelibly etched on our hearts and we will never forget his unbreakablespirit. He defied all odds and left an awe-inspiring legacy of perseverance inhis mighty will to live.
There will be a celebration of life in August.

 

Canada Day - a time for Canadians to take a long, serious look in the mirror

 

David Bouchard’s “I Am Not a Ghost”: A Story of Resilience and HeritageBouchard’s new children’s book I am Not a Ghost spotlights an under-appreciated but important part of Canadian history.BY NATHALIE DE LOS SANTOS & MAY AU ● COLD TEA READS ● JUNE 30, 2023

David Bouchard, a renowned Canadian author, released a new children’s book, I Am Not a Ghost: The Canadian Pacific Railway. The work recounts the story of a Chinese man who migrated to Canada to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. He came in search of a better life. The railway workers treated him harshly, but Amelia Douglas, a Métis woman, who was one of the founding mothers of British Columbia, and wife of the former governor of BC, saved him from death. This fictional but historically accurate story carries an important message and describes the racism and hardship that these newcomers to Canada endured.

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was completed in 1885. The construction of the railway was a massive undertaking that required the labor of thousands of workers. Many of these workers were Chinese immigrants. Despite their significant contributions, the Chinese workers faced racism and discrimination, including lower wages and dangerous working conditions.

Image credit: David BouchardA creative process with reciprocity at its heart

Bouchard collaborated with long-time friend, Zhong-Yang Huang and his son, Sean Huang, who illustrated I Am Not a Ghost. When they first came up with the idea, they wanted to highlight the injustices done to the Chinese community.

“Yang’s input to all of this was, can this be real? Were Canadians truly that way?” Bouchard said during an interview with Cold Tea Collective. “It became clear to us this history wasn’t being shared in schools. I Am Not a Ghost is a telling where a racist is a racist, a bigot is a bigot, and a brutally harsh society has to be called out for what it was.”

No one person can represent an issue in its entirety or be the sole voice for history itself. Storytellers must work together to cultivate stories with reciprocity for the community it serves.

Together, Zhong-Yang’s artistic direction guided Sean’s illustrations and Bouchard’s writing. From this collaboration came a creative process approach that had reciprocity and inclusion at its heart.

“I Am Not a Ghost is meant to spark curiosity and have people say: Did they really do that? Those living conditions were real? It is a hard reflection on who we are and what we did as a people. And I think Chinese-Canadian kids deserve to know that,” Bouchard says.

A friendship full of inspiration

Bouchard recounted Zhong-Yang’s rise to becoming a great artist: “When the Mao Revolution came to be, Yang was a young man who was sent to work in the rice fields. One day somebody in the fields saw him figure drawing and asked him, ‘Would you draw my mother?’ Yang agreed. Within a matter of months, he had a lineup of people waiting. He was given the nickname Lazy Boy because he didn’t work his garden.”

Zhong-Yang went on to become a master professor in China. In the eighties, Zhong-Yang came to Regina, Saskatchewan. Zhong-Yang had a large art show of his work, and there he met Bouchard. Despite a language barrier, Bouchard exchanged his contact info with Zhong-Yang and the two immediately became friends. The two went on to create more books: The Dragon New Year, The Great Race, Buddha in the Garden, The Mermaid’s Muse, and Dragon of Heaven: The Memoirs of the Last Empress of China.

“We taught each other many things. I wanted to learn about his culture, and he wanted to learn about mine,” Bouchard reflected on his friendship with Zhong-Yang, which has been full of inspiration and creativity.

Image Credit: Canadian History EhxRemembering and reimagining our heritage

Currently, only a few Canadian illustrated children’s books directly address the racial discrimination and exploitation the Chinese endured during CPR’s construction. I Am Not a Ghost: The Canadian Pacific Railway is a needed children’s book that highlights this often untold history.

“Make this book a doorway to opening up new perspectives on how we must all remember and share our stories. Canada is still writing its story as a nation, and this book is an important part of that story,” says Dr. Brandt C. Louie, Chairman and CEO of the H.Y. Louie Company Limited and the ninth Chancellor of Simon Fraser University. Dr. Louie has generously bought two copies for every school in Western Canada. 

If you would like to read more about the Canadian Pacific Railway and the lived experiences of the Chinese community, we recommend these books. Another children’s book that is available is The Railroad Adventures of Chen Sing by George Chiang. Other higher reading level books include Gold Mountain Blues by Ling Zhang, the two books, Blood and Sweat Over the Railway Tracks and Blossom in the Gold Mountain by Lily Chow, The Diary of Dukesang Wong by Dukesang Wong, the two books Blood and Iron and A Superior Man by Paul Yee, and Ghosts of Gold Mountain by Gordon H. Chang.

See also:  7 books about identity, race by Asian authors for children

Feature Credit: Plumleaf PressAuthor(s)

NATHALIE DE LOS SANTOS

Nathalie De Los Santos is based in Vancouver, and is the founder of PilipinxPages, a bookstagram featuring Filipinx authors. You can read her work or hear her in TFC, CBC, Filipino Fridays Podcast, Stories with Sapphire Podcast, Chopsticks Alley Pinoy, the LiterAsian Festival (2020), Marias at Sampaguitas, Ricepaper Magazine, and Gastrofork.

MAY AU

May Au is a business lawyer, philomath, and story-addict who seeks to approach life with wonder, connection and a critical mind. May has always been captivated by stories. As a young child, she would be the first to get lost in a book, a movie, a drama, a song, for hours upon hours, often forgetting about the normal life activities of sleeping, eating and homework. Now, as a more responsible adult, May tries to limit her reading, movie, music or drama marathons to evenings and weekends only – with varying degrees of success. As an editor of Cold Tea Collective, May feels privileged to have the opportunity to participate in the sharing of stories that inspire individuals to connect, engage in meaningful dialogue, build relationships, and be the best versions of themselves.

Twitter and its Trolls

 

Twitter is the bridge under which trolls live. They live to spread hate - 

1.

2.  And why Twitter?

1. There, a troll can spout off absolutely anything at all (a la Donald Trump) without fearof recrimination.  

2. From under that bridge, trolls surround themselves with others who, like them, care nothing for facts or truth but whosepleasure lies in hate or in causing hurt. They are cyber playground bullies.

3.    Their raison d’être varies;financial gain (almost always in some form or another), self aggrandizement, nosignificant purpose in their lives…

I have been the source of troll attacks on twoseparate occasions. Frankly, it doesn't surprise me, for after years ofhard work and significant success, they were bound to appear. Not once dideither malcontents reach out to fact check into what they were about to post. They did what they did with malicious intent to cause hurt. 

Hate among trolls builds with every new follower untilsuch time that they consider the number of followers significant enough to step out of Twitterand use their numbers to intimidate others into giving them credence. 

What does this mean? 1. Twitter does not appear ready to make changes so I have to work harder atproviding honest, caring people with facts that will allow them to stand up forwhat is right and truthful. 2. I have to fight this fight notonly for myself but for the many who are subject to similar attacks.

So, here I go. Please feel free to share…And oh…my providing these two fact checks is not for trolls who care nothing for the truth or for those they are purposefully hurting but rather for thosewho find themselves drawn into their vicious gossip and wanting to know how to respond to trolls. 

Responding to trolls only legitimizes theirexistence. I would suggest that you simply not respond but if you, for whatever reason feel compelled to do so, feelfree to share the facts.

                                                 My bloodlines areunquestionable:

                                                           I am Metis.

I am not a citizen of the MNC or of any otherorganization that requires their members to fall within the boundaries of a homeland that was determined by them. I am not of that however, I am of Ojibway and Osage blood. I am Indigenous and I call myself Metis. Can I or by doing so, am I stepping into the realm of cultural appropriation? My Native Ancestors would argue otherwise. George and Terry Goulet also do. 

No living Metis has the knowledgebase or the experience of George Goulet. Trolls will completelysidestep both my genealogy and George and Terry’s explanationabout who has the right to call themselves Metis however, I invite everyone to read the following and to come to your own conclusions. 

          The difference between "Metis" and "Metiscitizenship"

Being Metis has nothing to do withMetis citizenship granted by a Metis "Nation".  Being Metis isan inborn ancestral attribute. An essential of being Metis is a combination ofFirst Nations and European ancestry. When Metis ethno genesis occurred, therewere plenty of Metis such as Cuthbert Grant, Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont etc.,but none of them had a citizenship card in a Metis "Nation", whichwithout elaborating on the concept of "Nation" (and what that initself requires) it involves Metis organizations that in due course evolved tocalling themselves a Nation and adopting restrictive Metis definitions thatincluded the term citizenship, and excluded people who do not meet theirmembership criteria. 

Over the years, the term "Metis" has not been set instone and was amended a number of times, but not recently. A very restrictivenational definition of Metis was adopted in 2002 by several dozen Metispoliticians of the Metis National Council (MNC) and not by grassroots Metis,since grassroots Metis cannot obtain membership in the MNC nor do they have theright to speak at MNC meetings. The MNC has never promulgated aConstitution in its 40 years of existence. Simply put, it has no Constitution.There are many flaws in the MNC Bylaws. Incidentally, Louis Riel took a moreliberal view of Metis. In a May 10, 1877 letter he wrote to Bishop Bylaws, Rielstated that the Metis are a "non-exclusive" people.

Some imply that one is not Metis if onehas not received citizenship from a Metis Nation, undoubtedly meaning one ofthe affiliates of the Metis National Council with their restrictive definitionof Metis. There are numerous authoritative sources that take a differentapproach to Metis identity, but Métis Elders/authors George and Terry Goulet'sview of Metis identity is one that few will disagree with:

One can qualify as a Metis if thatperson has First Nations and European ancestry, identifies as Metis, has becomeinvolved in Metis matters through socio-cultural activities such as writing, hasbelonged to a Metis organization etc, and been accepted in the past by aMetis community as a Metis, and has the best interests of Metis kpeople, cultureand history in mind. It is true that an organization such as MNC has the rightto set forth the criteria it requires to qualify to qualify to join theirorganization but it does not have the right to say that only people who meettheir criteria are Metis.

Métis identity is not a simple concept,it is complex and multi-faceted. It varies depending on the perspective of theperson, organization, institution, or political group using the term. There isno consensus or comprehensive definition of who is Métis, and Métis identitymay be dissimilar depending on different points of view, such as political,legal/constitutional, socio-cultural, or others.

Métis Identity and the requirements formembership in a Métis organization are not the same thing. A Métis organizationhas the right to self-designate who it will accept for membership. However ithas no right to arbitrarily determine that only those who fit its criteria areMétis, and no one else is.

Over the years, our research hasbroadened. We are now of the view that when it comes to Métis identity there is“no-one-size-fits all”. The Métis of Red River and Western Canada, for example,are unique in this respect from the Métis in the Maritimes. The memorableevents and memorable personalities of the Métis of Western Canada were distinctfrom those in other areas. Also one can find several dialects of Michif spokenwithin different areas of Western Canada.

While it is clear that no one group ororganization owns the term Métis, there is no doubt that different Métis groupsacross Canada do not necessarily share a common history, heritage, and culture.In a democracy, the role of the government is to recognize all the differentclasses of People equally.

Prior to the Constitution beingpatriated in 1982, none of the many Métis organizations across Canada appear tohave had any significant restrictions like those today as to qualification formembership in them.

From its creation in 1983 the MétisNational Council and its five affiliated Provincial organizations have imposedtheir own definition of Métis as a requirement for membership according totheir own interpretation of Métis citizenship. Over the years their definitionshave been changed a number of times and in many cases have been problematic.

On October 1, 2012, we (George andTerry Goulet) gave a presentation to the Senate Committee Hearingson Metis Identity that were held in Vancouver. In addition to ourcomments, the Senate requested a follow-up paper from us and we also presentedthe Senators with a copy of our British Columbia Métis book as well as othermaterial.

We explained that we were independenthistorians and that we were there not only with respect to the Métis in BritishColumbia but also for Métis all across Canada.

Our first opinion was that that when itcomes to Métis Identity, there is “no one-size-fits all”. The use of the termMétis depended on the context and the group or institution using it.

The Powley judgment created problemsfor many Métis seeking to obtain their Aboriginal constitutional rights throughmembership in the Métis National Council and one of its five affiliatedorganizations.

As well, the adoption and support thatthe Métis National Council gave to the Powley Case is odd. The Powleys lived ina Métis community in Sault Ste. Marie hundreds of kilometers east of theso-called Historic Métis Nation Homeland. The concept of a "Homeland" is a construct of the MNCbased on the idea that one would not be entitled to join a Provincial affiliateof the MNC if their ancestry was outside of the ill-defined Homeland Map that,so far as we know, was prepared without input by grassroots Metis generally. Aproblem was created by this Map. It excluded most of Canada, all of Ontarioexcept for a small area east of the Manitoba border. It effectively excludedtens of thousands of Metis registered with the Metis Nation of Ontario. Whenthe MNO was asked to take away their citizenship membership, they refused. Indue course the Manitoba Metis Federation withdrew from the MNC.

Even the Powleys would not fit withinthe Métis National Council National definition of Métis and would be ineligibleto become a member of one of its affiliates.

The overemphasis placed on the PowleyCase by Métis political organizations and others with respect to Métis identityfailed to recognize and deal with a number of issues such as:

. The Case was specifically directed atharvesting rights;

.The Court specifically stated it wasnot providing a comprehensive definition of who is Métis
. The decision dealt with rights of a specific Métis community.
. The criteria for Métis harvesting did not include a “Historic Métis NationHomeland”.

. The decision dealt specifically witha “Métis community”, not a homeland.

Consequently the determination of Métiscitizenship should not be governed by the Powley decision or by the criteriadetermined by a few dozen Métis politicians. In addition, using the Powleyruling to determine Métis identity is contrary to the United NationsDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which provides forself-determination and self-identification by Indigenous Peoples in Sections 3and 33 respectively.

Government programs such as StatisticsCanada, children and family services and organizations, and public schoolsystems only require self-identification in order to be considered as a Métis.

An approach to Métis identity favoredby us is socio–cultural. It requires some Aboriginal ancestry and calls forself-identity, shared culture, shared relationships, kinship, participation inand contribution to a variety of Métis activities, and if appropriateacceptance by a current Métis community. The essence of being Métis, as statedby the authors to the Senate Committee, is: …. how one feels it in their heart and soul, how they adopt and adaptto Métis culture, and how they participate in and are received and perceived bytheir local Métis community".

The ancestral connection requirement inthe Powley criteria differs significantly from those in the 1991 paper“Unravelling the Riddle of Métis Definition” written by the highly prominentMétis Harry Daniels and Professor Paul Chartrand.

"In the contemporary community, acore of the residents will descend from the historic community, but it is notnecessary that a claimant to the enjoyment of an Aboriginal right invested inthe community be a descendent. What is required is proof that the claimantbelongs to the community today".

This is an inclusive approach to Métisidentity that we favour.

Subsequent to the Hearings the CanadianSenate Standing Committee released a report on June 6, 2013 prepared by theCommittee dealing with Métis identity. The report was titled “The People WhoOwn Themselves: Recognition of Métis Identity in Canada.” At the time that theReport was released Senator Vern White, the chair of the Committee, stated:

"…. our committee is adamant thatMétis themselves must be able to determine their own membership andrepresentation. The committee believes that the proper approach for the federalgovernment toward understanding who the Métis are must focus on who the Métisunderstand themselves to be.

With respect to Métis identity oneconclusion in the Report was that:

"…. there is no one-size-fits-all…Instead, complex historical, cultural, legal and political factors have led todiverse expressions of Métis identity across Canada".

It should be noted that this conclusionof the Committee reflected the observations presented to the Committee Hearingseight months earlier by us that contained our exact words “there is no-one-size-fits all”.

There are several other pertinentpoints contained in the Senate Report:

• Confirmation that: (i) “The Powleydecision did not purport to define the Métis”; (ii) the Métis National CouncilDefinition and the Powley criteria were similar, but not the same; and (iii)not all members of the Métis National Council’s provincial organizations claimsection 35 harvesting rights.”

• The statement that: “Métis identityis a complex, multifaceted concept .… that includes important historical,legal, political and cultural dimensions.”

• In the section titled “HistoricalAspects of Métis Identity” the Senate Committee referenced the book "TheMétis in British Columbia: From Fur Trade Outposts to Colony" written byGeorge and Terry Goulet.

• The Committee foundthat the federal government’s and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs andNorthern Development’s approach to only being involved in the development ofthe Métis National Council’s five provincial registries that are compatiblewith the Powley criteria was “inadequate for identifying Métis rights-holders”.

 

    SUPREME COURTDECISION IN THE DANIELS CASE

The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) deliveredits unanimous decision in the Daniels Case on April 14, 2016. The Court ruledthe Federal Government has jurisdiction with respect to ALL Métis andnon-status Indians. In addition the Decision confirmed that the FederalGovernment has a fiduciary duty and consultation responsibility with respect tothe Métis and non-status Indians.  The Supreme Court of Canada is the final arbiter of the Constitutionof Canada , NOT the MNC and NOT the Government of Canada.

The Court pointed out that there is no consensus on who isconsidered Métis or a non-status Indian, nor need there be. It further quotedthe following:

"There is no one exclusive MetisPeople in Canada, any more than there is no one exclusive Indian people inCanada. The Metis of eastern Canada and northern Canada are as distinct fromRed River Metis as any two peoples can be . . . ." [so much forthe Metis restrictive "Homeland."]

As early as 1650, a distinct Metiscommunity developed in LeHeve [sic], Nova Scotia, separate from Acadians andMicmac Indians. All Metis are aboriginal people. All have Indian ancestry.

In effect the Supreme Court decidedthat when it comes to Métis identity there is “no one size fits all.”

The Supreme Court stated that thedefinition of who is Métis under s. 91(24) of the CanadianConstitution has been made broader than the restrictive definitionalcriteria for Métis under the Powley Case of 2003. This restrictive criteria inPowley was developed specifically for purposes of applying s. 35, which theCourt said was about protecting historic community-held rights.

Section 91(24) serves a very differentconstitutional purpose, said the Court; it is about the federal government’srelationship with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples.

The Court further indicated that theMétis membership base should be broader and there is no principled reason forexcluding certain Métis from Parliament’s protective authority on the basis ofthe third criterion, a “community acceptance” test (that was referred to inPowley).

In addition the Court set aside theexclusion from Aboriginal citizenship of those Métis who do not meet the Powleycriteria for inclusion as Indians in s. 91(24). In its Decision the Courtstated “There is no doubt that the Métis are a distinct people”. This means that under the Daniels Decisionthey are “Indians” for the purposes of s. 91(24), but they retain their Métisidentity as a distinct people just as the In uit do.

The Court further stated:

"Cultural and ethnic labels do notlend themselves to neat boundaries. ‘Métis’ can refer to the historic Métiscommunity in Manitoba’s Red River Settlement or it can be used as a generalterm for anyone with mixed European and Aboriginal heritage. Somemixed-ancestry communities identify as Métis, others as Indian".

 

          .                                   CONCLUSION

Scholarly texts that discussthe Metis and their Identity that go beyond the geographic"Homeland" of the MNC include "From New Peoples to New Nations...Aspects of Metis History and Identity ..." by Ens and Sawchuk; and"The New Peoples - Being and Becoming Metis in North America",by Peterson and Brown.

A principal reason for determiningMétis identity is the direct result of the imposition by the federal government on the Métis Peoples ofCanada of a one only national and associated provincial representativeorganizations policy consisting of the Métis National Council and itsaffiliated provincial organizations.

The major destructive component of thisgovernment created policy was the membership restriction in each of the MétisNational Council’s affiliated provincial organizations that limited Aboriginalancestry to very restrictive criteria, and to a very restrictive geographicallocation.

This membership requirement resulted inthe denial of Métis citizenship to all Métis whose aboriginal ancestry evolvedfrom the following geographical areas: (i) west of the Rocky Mountains; (ii)central and eastern Ontario; (iii) all the provinces east of the Ontario/Quebecborder; (iv) and the territories of Canada except for a small area in theNorthwest Territories.

______________________________________

 

There are believers in a hard line,restrictive approach (unlike Riel) to Metis Identity. Organizations suchas l'Union nationale metisse St. Joseph du Manitoba, Congress of AboriginalPeoples, BC Metis Federation and others who have Metis members and have notadopted the restrictive MNC definition would totally disagree with thisnon-inclusive approach, as do we. L'union nationale metisse of St. Boniface isthe oldest Metis organization in the World, and they do not wish to be involvedwith MNC or its affiliates. It was founded in 1887 by about 15 Metis peopleincluding Joseph Riel (the brother of Louis), Alexandre Riel, Ambroise Lepine,my great grandfather Pierre Delorme, Elzear Lagimodiere etc. and it kept theMetis flame burning bright when there was no MMC or its affiliates inexistence.

One must bear in mind that one need nothave citizenship in a Metis organization to be a Metis. One need not have theirMetis ancestry validated by an organization to be a Metis. A person who is aMetis remains a Metis whether or not such an organization validates it. If Iceased to be a member of a Metis organization, I would still be a Metis withover two hundred years of Red River ancestry. 

 

LONG LIVE THE METIS.

 

George and Terry Goulet

And from my part, Long Live George and Terry Goulet! 

 

 

 

 

Are you a person of faith

 Have you ever been asked your faith or your religion?

Why? Should it matter?

At this ripening age, I can comfortably speak to "religion and spirituality" and it feels good. This image summarizes my feelings/belief: 

Am I the only person who remembers (admittedly vaguely, but still...) coming from somewhere into this human body? 

Where I came from was unknown to me until my late Mother died and then it all made sense. It all came together. The circle was complete... 

Best I lay it out as I plan on blogging a thoughts on a few of my books and  how their messages all tied into this understanding of the world  around us - 

Our  Mother 

You and  I, we are related. We share the same Mother. We, all of us, humans, animals and the swimmers and crawlers and flyers...the mountains, the creeks, the trees and the flowers...Grandfather Rock and... I'm sure I made my point. We, ALL OF US, come from her and when we die, we go back to her - dust to dust as it is said in the bible. Thus, we are all related. We are all one family. 

Our Father

When our bodies were formed, we needed air. Our first breath, came to us from our Father.So it is that we speak of Mother Earth and Father Sky. 

Our Grandfather

Our Father gets his energy, which is substantial, from his Father the Sun. 

Every day, we all witness the power of the sun. And for those of  us who have lived long enough, we understand the wisdom of our Grandfathers and the value of learning from them. Thus, we do - We learn from the Sun!

We need but look to Grandfather Sun and follow his path through Father Sky. In so doing, we will come to understand how we should  live our lives as we become aware of the Sacred Teachings.

Our Grandmother

You will no doubt have already come to the conclusion that our Grandmother is the Moon. Of  course, you are right. 

Every night, she shines her light on Mother Earth and rejuvenates the reproductive powers which are needed for all the new life Mother Earth creates. 

There is so much that can be said about each of our shared family members...many books have been written and countless stories told. 

We have also come to learn that there are thirteen Grandmothers living on the back of Grandmother Moon - thirteen Grandmothers who watch over us and who are there to... 

....I had better stop as there is so much to share.

All Our Relations 

And finally, the piece that completes the circle. As with all things in life, everything moves in a circle. We are born - to our common Mother and Father. We learn from our Grandfather and our Grandmother and now... 

I remember being out in the garden with my dog...looking up into the dark night sky. My Mother had  just died and I wanted to understand.

Oh, I  knew where her body had gone. In fact, her ashes lie right next to my desk in my shack...and I carry a few in my medicine bag that hangs up tight over my heart. 

I knew where her body had gone but where was that sparkle I saw in her eye when she giggled or puckered her lips to kiss me as I readied to sleep? 

Where was that twinkle that was my Mother...and then, right then, it came to me. Remember the image that started me on this rant? Here...the one up on the right... 

Everything moves in a circle. We are all related. We come from her and we return to her. But what of that spark...that twinkle that  is usually refered to as our souls? What of the spark I think I recall claiming my body all those years ago. 

Well, if my theory holds true, and it could likely stand up against many of the world's oldest religions, my late Mother was there...a star among stars...my ancestors. 

If this is so, I will indeed be reunited with her and all my relations. 

And THAT feels right. 

Ready for 2023

 Come on 2023 - Let's get it on

Covid - mass killings - wars that never seem to end..these are all that must and that can be overcome. 

I have high hopes for this new year. This is a recent photo that Vicki took while we waited for our John Smith's bitter on tap at the Irish Times here in Victoria. Here I am doing my best to be chill. 

It would be easy and natural to focus on the dark side of our world; political, educational and personal. I think I was a more positive and upbeat child than most I knew but time has done to me what it does to so many - it teaches us to be cynical and critical. So it is that I have this itch that wants to be scratched. 

However, focussing on the dark side only feeds the dark and does not lead to enlightenement of any sort - thus...

Here we go...chill and upside - and ready to take on 2023!

Professional   

When Covid first hit, like everyone else, I was caught off guard. Over the past 20 years, I had traveled a million miles and spoken to a million people. That was as things were and, I thought, would always be. Then came Covid. 

Then came two years without stepping on a single plane. Two years without living in hotels and eating their food. Two years without speaking at schools and conferences which I had done for the no less than 20 years. 

But change forces growth and often for the better. Zoom! Teams! Meet...and any number of other platforms that allowed me to share learnings and ideas with students, educators and parents. 
Online and direct from my shack (showing here), I have presented to individual classrooms, groups of students in a larger formats, entire schools either in one central location or in their individual classrooms. 
I have spoken to school groups -  entire staffs, teacher staff meetings, pro-d... 
And I have addressed groups of parents and administrators all from the comfort of the desk in my shack. My friend and agent Chris also has learned to adapt and has put this page online for those interested in having me present virtually: http://davidbouchard.com/speaking/fees

I have now begun doing in person events and found that I have missed eye to eye contact. I doubt that I will ever do the kind of touring that I once did but I am ready to re-embark into a world I know and love, one that I thought gone forever. 

I have been back on planes. I have been back in classrooms and I have presented at public events. 
I have been reunited with old friends as shown here when I spent a magical day at Mother Earth's Children's Chartered School in Alberta. I couldn't have started off  with a better event, not only because of my friendship with Maxine, Ed and old friends there...but also because I was afforded  the chance to see, first hand, the unique, fantastic outdoor school that had taken so much time and energy to build. I now get to  share their success
with  others in a similar situation. 

Truth and Reconciliation has a long way to go but how can we not see what has already taken place. Land Recognition. Recognition of the thousands of children killed and abused in residential schools. Efforts being made in schools and public ventures to become involved, no matter how small a part that might play, in reconciliation.  

I was thrilled to be a part of a tremendous event at Calgary's Heritage Park where everyone involved with this beautiful facility gathered to learn and to honour every child. 

How can you become part of the process of reconciliation? It's through education. Educate yourself and those over whom you have influence. When we come to know and truly understand, we will learn to care as we should care. 
There are books and  movies and speakers who can assist you. I will, over the next few weeks, try to lay out a few strategies that might help you in your world. 
Keep it simple. Keep it respectful. Keep an open mind and an open heart and all will be well.

the British Columbia Book Review

November 23, 2022November 23, 2022

Six books reviewed by Linda Rogers:

Meet Your Family/ Gikenim Giniigi’igoog
by David Bouchard and Kristy Cameron

Victoria: Medicine Wheel Education, 2021
$24.99 / 9781989122662

They tried to “take the Indian out of the child,” but it never ended, the storytelling that united each generation of elders and ancestors to their children, watering the seeds that grow out of the oldest blanket, Mother Earth. And now the cultural renaissance witnesses translation of oral to literary tradition, making the garden inclusive as more and more Indigenous writers and artists show us how to talk with kids.

It’s a bitter irony that it has taken the disinterment of innocents to remind us that the Earth is not only home to lost children and humans waiting in line for sky burial, but the real stories of creation, which are far older than the dreams of voyageurs or shortsighted bureaucrats. It has taken this long for us to collectively understand that we are united in one story, which is told in the children’s books, variations on a theme, that came in the current sharing.

For those who argue that cultural recognition is only the beginning, we can be comforted in knowing that change happens in the minds of children as they assimilate the stories of their ancestors, narratives that remind them they are one with the universe and with each other as they go forward into a world that has been cursed with transactional values. We can hope children who assimilate their messages are the peace warriors of the future.

Meet Your Family, by David Bouchard and Kristy Cameron, is all you know and all you need to know about “all my relations.” Sometimes a book comes along that steals the breath, then gives it back, so we say “Soul come back” as after the happy sneeze. This is such a gift, the satisfaction no smaller than seeing the great Ian MacEwen finally control his ploticidal impulses in Lessons, his recent book of conjoined world and intimate family.

The only message that matters when Mother Earth is betrayed by conflict, man against man, man against woman, man against environment, humankind against itself is we are one, our finite partcles of being flowing through every living thing. The lesson is urgent and Bouchard and Cameron deliver it, in picture and verse, with deliberate gentility, love one another right now. Meet your Mother, they invite:

We all come from her
Those with feathers or fur
Those who walk on two legs
Birthed from water or eggs.

The format is perfect, verse embedded in delicious affirmations of life, a surround of art that is, by virtue of its Ojibway source, line and colour describing fellow creatures from the phenomenal and spirit worlds, at once personal and universal. It is a good thing that the book is hardbound because it will be read over and over by children and adults.

As we meet Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon holding up the sky, bathing the wakeful and sleeping Earth in light, lectures on matriarchy and world balance are made redundant. This is all we need to know. It is within the grasp of every child and every adult who listens and watches because the illustrations light up child world, a room with no walls. Just Meet Your family. Gikenim Giniigi’igoog. It is right in front of us, the real theory of relativity, no mystery, just a simple homily.

The format is perfect, verse embedded in delicious affirmations of life, a surround of art that is, by virtue of its Ojibway source, line and colour describing fellow creatures from the phenomenal and spirit worlds, at once personal and universal. It is a good thing that the book is hardbound because it will be read over and over by children and adults.

As we meet Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon holding up the sky, bathing the wakeful and sleeping Earth in light, lectures on matriarchy and world balance are made redundant. This is all we need to know. It is within the grasp of every child and every adult who listens and watches because the illustrations light up child world, a room with no walls. Just Meet Your family. Gikenim Giniigi’igoog. It is right in front of us, the real theory of relativity, no mystery, just a simple homily.

 

Just ONE book

It takes one book to create a reader. Just ONE book. The book has to be accessible and inclusive. It's our job to get the right book into the hands of prospective readers - This short clip speaks to a perfect book for an indigenous adult or youth or a person interested in Indigenous culture.